Spring is not too far away and that means we have got excited to head out and hit the road. We have come up with our Top 5 Road Trips. 

1: Taranaki Loop
Drive right around Mt Taranaki and follow the Surf 45 Coastal Highway for some of the best Surf Breaks in the country.  There is lots to explore including the Cape Egmont Lighthouse and the Forgotten Highway out to the Republic Of Whangamonona. There are stunning views throughout this Journey. 

2: Wanaka to Dunedin:
This South Island Road Trip takes in some of the most picturesque roads in the country, there are scenic stop offs throughout this journey, so make sure there is memory on the Camera! Driving through the countryside around Queenstown and Central Otago provides beautiful vistas and stunning scenery to take in. 

3: The Coromandel Loop:
This drive is a stunning journey encompassing the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula  starting from the Township of Thames and meandering along the Coast road which follows the coastline and provides stunning views of the ocean and the Native Christmas tree, the beautiful Pohutakawa. The return journey from the top of the Peninsula provides stunning white sand beaches and delightful views of classic New Zealand countryside.

4:Auckland to Kaitaia:
This journey takes you from New Zealand's largest city to the beautiful Bay Of Islands, with white sand beaches and clear beckoning you. There are multiple stops of interest along the way,  including the Gum Museum and 90 Mile Beach which is a stunning expanse of sand. 

5:Napier to Rotorua:
This is long road-trip which takes in Napier's wine country and takes you through to the thermal wonderland that is Rotorua. With plenty to do and see in this area including the Blue Lake, native forests and geysers a plenty, this is an amazing area in which to enjoy classic New Zealand vistas. 

1. Make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey:
    In the days before your journey make sure you check the tyres, oil and water, check the windscreen washer fluid and fill up with fuel.  Turn the Air Conditioning on full before leaving and ensure it is working correctly. Or book in for a $99 Air Conditioning Special, which re-gasses your vehicles air conditioning and makes sure it is all working correctly.  Remember if you are planning on towing a trailer to check that as well, or book it in with our service department for a Warrant Of Fitness before departing. (Bookings subject to availability)  

2.Load up your vehicle the night before:
    Stress-levels are sure to rise if you attempt to pack your vehicle  on the day you are leaving.  Fitting everything in your vehicle in a rush is a recipe for disaster and a sure-fire way to start your holiday under stress.  It's much easier to pre-select items such as snacks and music before you leave. 

3.Pack an Extra Cellphone Charger:
   It may be a small item, but having a cellphone charger  spare can make all the difference and make a popular member of the family if some-one else forgets theirs. Having a Charger plugged into the Cigarette Lighter in your vehicle is also handy as it means if something untoward does occur and you need to call for assistance, at least you will have a charged phone. 

4.Drive to the Conditions:
   Always be aware of the conditions, both weather and road. There is often increased traffic over the holiday period and this may mean that trips take longer, so be sure to allow more time. Drive defensively by letting quicker vehicles pass and ensure you keep a safe following distance in case the vehicle in front of you makes a mistake. 

5.Drive Smoothly, Save Fuel:
    If you are travelling a long distance save fuel by driving smoothly, anticipating what is ahead and minimising  heavy acceleration and braking. Smoother is Faster and your passengers will thank you as well. 

Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) is a feature that alerts a driver to an imminent crash and helps them use the maximum braking capacity of their vehicle.
Full AEB will independently apply the brakes if the situation becomes critical and the driver hasn’t braked. The aim is to reduce the impact or eliminate an accident altogether.
Real-world data suggests AEB can reduce crashes by up to 27 per cent and ANCAP would like to see this life-saving technology become a mandatory requirement for all new vehicles sold in New Zealand.
Front collision warning systems can vary between different manufacturers and in some cases, even the different models. Some vehicles also feature two or more AEB systems.
AEB technology coupled with adaptive cruise control is simply magic for motorway driving and even better in peak hour traffic. Once you have set the following distance, the car does the rest to maintain a safe presence behind the car in front. Most cars with this feature will have at least three following distances to choose from.
Great technology, right? The only issue is the aggressive NZ motorist. You know, the one who cuts into the gap you’ve purposely left for a safe following distance? If a car cuts in front of you, the AEB may apply the brakes to avoid a collision to maintain a safe gap.
If your car is equipped with AEB and traffic grinds to a sudden halt, you might hear or see the warning lights and in some cases the brakes may be applied before you even get a chance to react yourself.

To Discuss the Safety Technologies Available across our Range of Vehicles call our Sales Team today on 06 968 5679  or Email Us Today.

Take it easy
No one likes being stuck in gridlock but when you take off from the lights do it smoothly. Keep gear changes to a lower RPM where possible to avoid over-revving your car. Generally try to avoid jerky driving wherever possible, it’s not a race, you’ll get there in time and with more fuel in your tank.

Plan your route
Don’t really know where you’re going and want to just wing it? Use features such as Apple Car Play and Android Auto to  ensure you’re taking the most direct way possible. Less time on the road means less fuel used.

Take a load off
Our Mitsubishi and Volkswagen 4WD’s are designed to tow some pretty hefty loads but if you don’t need to tow your boat around all day, don’t. Same goes with equipment. Carrying around sports equipment from the weekend, deck chairs from last week’s picnic or your heavy toolbox? Take it out when you don’t need it and lighten the load.

Care for your car
Making sure your vehicle is regularly serviced is imperative to keep everything running as the factory intended.Book in with our Service Team on 06 968 5676 and our Technicians can check your vehicle over, check or replace necessary fluids, recalibrate your fuel management system and provide genuine additives and flushes to keep your car running at its optimum.

​Switch off
Using your air conditioner at low speeds can increase your fuel consumption dramatically. If you don’t need your air conditioner on, switch it off and put the windows down to let natural air flow keep you cool.

Pump it up
Running your car with flat tyres can put unnecessary strain on your vehicle, increase fuel consumption and cause poor tyre wear. So take a moment to check your tyre pressure is set to the recommended pressures on your vehicle's tyre placard next time you drop into your local servo. If you do notice any issues with your Tyres, book in with us on 06 968 5676 and our experienced Tyre Technician will be able to make recommendations depending on your vehicle type, budget and driving style. 
​

How To Keep Your Batteries Charged:

Plug it in at home in a standard 10-amp socket while you sleep. This means you’ll make the most of off-peak rates, which will be around $1.41*. You  can set charge times easily from the smartphone app. A full battery will get you 54km (based on the ADR 81/02 test procedure) with no emissions and practically no noise, enhanced even further by soundproofing throughout the vehicle. When you’re going downhill, regenerative braking puts power back into the battery. If you’re out and about, the ever-growing national network of fast-charge stations can fill the battery to 80% capacity in just 20 minutes.

PHEV Drive Modes:

Because Outlander PHEV is also an electric vehicle, you can drive in purely electric mode. On a full charge, your daily commute could be completed without using any petrol at all. Every hill and red light you encounter as you drive is a chance to generate energy. Use the paddle shift to increase the regenerative braking resistance and you’re putting power back into the battery. You can keep the charge in the battery using the Battery Save setting. Use the petrol engine to fill the battery directly with Battery Charge mode, which gives you an 80% full charge in about 40 minutes. To increase the efficiency of the vehicle’s operation, select Eco Mode. 

PHEV Smartphone Integration:

Outlander PHEV integrates with your all important mobile phone. The Smartphone Link Display Audio System connects to iPhone and Android to send and check messages, operate maps, play music and more – all through voice command. All this happens on the large 7" touch screen, which is where a wealth of vehicle information is displayed. The smartphone app lets you choose the best time to charge and activate the climate control remotely, so the vehicle is the perfect temperature when you get in. ​

1. Invest in interior and exterior protective accessories
To keep your car fresh, and looking its best, it’s wise to invest in some protective accessories that you can purchase (and replace, if necessary) cost effectively.
Be sure to ask for accessories that have been specifically designed, engineered and manufactured to fit with your particular make and model. If you’ve got a brand new Mitsubishi sitting in your driveway, it is recommended you use Mitsubishi Genuine Accessories, as they have been specifically designed and tested for your vehicle.
Useful exterior accessories include bonnet protectors, headlamp protectors, front mudflaps and weather shields. On the interior, particularly useful accessories can include a cargo area protector and carpet mats.



2. Get your car periodically serviced
Perhaps most importantly, you need to protect your investment with regular servicing and maintenance, in accordance with your vehicle’s periodic inspection and maintenance schedule. You can check yours here.
Genuine servicing and car maintenance of your vehicle by trained and accredited service staff will ensure the optimum performance, efficiency, safety and reliability of your vehicle.
When it comes to selling or trading in your vehicle, being able to show that it has been regularly serviced can make a huge big difference to its value.  


7. Look after your paintwork
Correctly maintaining your car’s paintwork can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping it looking new over time.
Applying wax to your vehicle can help prevent the build up of dust and road chemicals on your paintwork. It’s wise to apply a wax solution after washing your vehicle, at least once every three months. Never wax your vehicle in direct sunlight and only apply wax after the surfaces have cooled.
When it comes to polishing your paintwork, only polish your vehicle if the paintwork has become stained or lost its lustre. Matt-finish parts and plastic bumpers also shouldn’t be polished as this may stain them or damage their finish.
If your paintwork is damaged due to flying stones or corrosion, you can use touch up paint. A paint code number can be found on the vehicle information code plate in the engine compartment of all Mitsubishi vehicles.

A lot of physics are involved in a moving car. Weight, mass, speed, friction, energy and other techie stuff. Geometry is there as well with pitch, roll and yaw ... and you thought you'd never need maths again.
All those forces and actions are applied to just four smartphone-sized patches of rubber between you and the road. As the driver, you have the most control over just one of them with your right foot.
Too much speed, braking at the wrong time, tight turning angles, loss of friction because of slippery road conditions are just some aspects that can mean those small patches of rubber can't cope. That's when a good day can turn bad.
Then the engineers in the car-making factories invented anti-lock braking systems (ABS), which does exactly what its name suggests by preventing the wheels from locking when you brake - allowing you to steer the vehicle while safely bringing it to a stop.
Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) goes a little further than ABS with a collection of sensors that detect what impact all the various forces have on the car -- and then control the level of braking on each wheel independently.
Typically, the front end of a vehicle will carry the most weight so the EBD applies less pressure to the rear brakes, preventing them from locking and causing the car to skid.
EBD and ABS
Under heavy braking without ABS and EBD, typically the wheels will lock and the friction created between the road surface and the tyre will slow the car to a stop.
In a straight line on a dry, sealed road, this usually isn't a problem beyond needing a longer stopping distance and creating a flat spot on your tyre. Add in a bit of rain or a slippery surface, such as gravel, ice or snow, and the stopping distance has to increase.
By itself, ABS improves that situation significantly, preventing the wheels from locking and bringing the vehicle to a stop in a more controlled way.
When the wheels lock up on a corner, the angle that the front wheels are turned becomes irrelevant as the car's mass opts for a straight line which could mean crossing the white line into oncoming traffic, finding a ditch or meeting a tree.
Control of the car relies on its wheels continuing to turn. Under heavy braking, sensors monitor wheel speed and release pressure on individual wheels. Modern systems have individual brake lines to each wheel and can compensate for friction changes on different road surfaces. Less brake pressure is needed to lock a wheel on icy or gravel roads, compared to tar sealed surfaces.

If you have any concerns about the braking performance of your vehicle ring our Service Team on (06) 968 5679  to get it checked out.   

1. Keep your car in the garage
Keeping your vehicle in a garage when it’s not being used will protect it from the cold. Starting it will be a lot easier, putting less strain on the battery.
2. Ensure the battery is fixed securely
Vibration can cause damage to a battery’s case and plates. Ensure all terminals are cleaned regularly during every major service.
3. Keep your battery clean
A clean battery has a longer life. Cleaning your battery cables and terminals regularly will prevent corrosion build up.
If you already have corrosion on your battery, it can easily be removed with water, baking soda and a wire brush. Make sure you disconnect your terminals before getting started.
Once the terminals are clean, be sure to wipe with a cloth and cool water. Leaving any baking soda on your battery increases the possibility of more corrosion.
4. Listen for early warning sounds
One of the most common signs of a weak battery is a slow cranking when you start the car. If this happens, contact a battery specialist.
If the car battery is too weak to provide sufficient voltage to the starter, you’ll hear a distinctive clicking sound and the engine won’t crank over. The clicking could indicate that the battery is not fully charged and provides a starting point for further diagnosis.
5. Check the age of your battery
Older car batteries are more likely to have problems in winter and they’re less likely to recover after going flat. If your battery is more than three years old, it may need replacing.
If you find your vehicle slow to start after 30 minutes of listening to the radio, it might be time to get your system checked.



We have Batteries in Stock for a range of vehicles so call our Service Team on (06) 968 5679 to get your new battery fitted! 

With the Roads in our Region being extremely Icy recently we have collated some tips to help keep you safe.

Anticipation and smoothness is the key for driving on icy roads. Look well ahead for potential hazards and keep your speed well down.
Accelerate, brake, steer and change gear as smoothly as possible to reduce the risk of 
a skid.
A higher gear may be appropriate to aid grip on packed ice. This helps manage engine power delivery, making it easier to find traction. If it’s a manual, you might need to use the clutch a little to prevent the car from stalling. Many automatics will let you select second gear at a standstill to pull away in.
 
Braking In Icy Conditions
Braking distances can increase tenfold on ice compared with a dry road. For this reason, you should leave up to 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front.
Remember that tyres grip less efficiently in cold conditions. So even if the temperature is above zero and there’s no ice on the road, you should take extra care.

Black Ice
Black ice is a thin layer of ice on the road surface. Because it is smooth and transparent, it appears the same colour as the road below it.
Black ice can be almost invisible to drivers, which makes it particularly dangerous. As a guide, if the temperature is low and the road surface looks ‘wet’, be careful and allow plenty of space between you and the car in front.
Sometimes black ice appears as a glossy sheen on the road. If you’re lucky you may see it glinting in the sunlight, or spot cars ahead swerving for no obvious reason but in majority of cases, it’s likely you won’t see black ice at all.
Be particularly cautious on shaded stretches of road, bridges, flyovers and tunnels — anywhere the surface temperature may be lower. Quiet roads are also more likely to be affected.


How to Control a Skid on Ice
Continue to look and steer in the direction you want to go. Take your foot off the accelerator and avoid slamming on the brakes — although this might be a natural response, it will only upset the vehicle balance and make it harder to regain control.
Use the gears to slow down if necessary, but avoid any sudden movements that could destabilise the car.

Windscreen
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that you have a higher risk of crashing when your vision is impaired. Moist conditions combined with greasy screens — which are usually caused by people rubbing a fogged up screen clear with their bare hands — can cause smearing over the screen in certain light conditions.
Make sure you clean your screen and all interior glass properly with an automotive glass cleaner.
Got a set of worn wiper blades leaving streaks all over your windscreen? Buy a set of new wipers, and while you’re at it, ensure your wiper reservoir is full. 
Breaking down on a cold winter night is not a pleasant experience, so getting a pre-winter vehicle service can save you a big breakdown headache.
Your engine endures colder temperatures in winter and in turn, experiences increased wear. Fluids have the ability to freeze in sub-zero temperatures so radiator antifreeze concentration will need to be up to scratch.
It’s also helpful to add detergent to your windscreen washer reservoir. Leave some room so you can top it up with warm water if it freezes overnight. 
To help reduce the risk of your tyres losing traction on the road, check that your tread is at least 1.5mm deep and that you have correct and equal tyre pressure in all your tyres.
Battery
In the cold, wet weather your battery tends to be pushed to its limit, which can cause it to fail earlier than expected. If you have any doubts about your battery’s performance, we recommend getting it tested and replaced if necessary.
It’s also worth keeping a set of quality protected jumper cables in case of a breakdown, which could get you — or someone not as prepared as you — out of a sticky situation.
Headlights and tail lights
The days are shorter and the weather is worse during the winter months, so it’s essential to regularly walk around your car to check all of its lights are working.
Fully functioning lights not only help your own visibility while driving, but also ensure other drivers are able to see you.
Winter emergency kit
It may seem a bit extreme in some parts of New Zealand but carrying an emergency kit will put your mind at ease. In case of a breakdown or emergency, keep a supply kit in the boot containing a blanket, spare warm clothes, torch with batteries, first aid kit, a hi-vis jacket and some spare food and water.